113621 H2-4 Micro Dutch Bucket System - Growers Supply€¦ · set 110721 water pump in reservoir through porthole. 2. Measure from top of the pump (at outlet port) to top of Dutch

1Revision date: 04.27.17

©2017 FarmTek®

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without permission.

113621 H2-4 Micro Dutch Bucket System

Versatile PolyMax® Dutch Buckets are ideal for both small- and large-scale hydroponic growing.

PolyMax® Dutch Buckets

2 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

TOOLS

The following list identifies the tools needed to assemble the Dutch bucket system. Additional tools may be needed depending on application.

• Tape measure and gloves.

• Marker to mark locations on PVC tubing and reservoir lid.

• Variable speed drill (cordless with extra batteries works best).

• 5/16" drill bit and 1" hole saw bit

• Pliers and tool to cut tubing

READ THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE YOUR 113621 MICRO DUTCH BUCKET SYSTEM.

This guide provides helpful hints and important information needed to safely assemble and properly maintain the 113621 PolyMax® H2-4 Micro Dutch Bucket System. Read and understand this guide before you begin.

Important Information

SAMPLE ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE

The steps outlining the assembly process are as follows:

1. Verify that all parts are included in the shipment. Notify customer service for questions or concerns.

2. Read these instructions and all additional documentation included with the shipment before you begin.

3. Gather the tools and assistants needed to assemble the product.

BASIC CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Proper care and maintenance of your system is important. Check the following items periodically to properly maintain your Dutch bucket system.

• Check connections to verify that they remain tight.

• Verify that the pump is working properly.

• Clean the reservoir periodically to prevent unwanted contamination of solution.

• Monitor temperatures (room and solution) to maximize plant growth.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Use a portable GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) when working with electric power tools and cords. Use battery-powered tools if possible.

• Exercise caution when using all tools.

• Wear gloves and eye protection when drilling and cutting.

WARNING: KEEP ALL ELECTRICAL CORDS AND CONNECTIONS OUT OF THE RESERVOIR. CONSULT THE SERVICES OF A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN TO ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY CONNECT THE PUMPS TO A POWER SUPPLY.

ALL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS SHALL BE DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS.

Reservoir Cover

40 Gallon Reservoir

Porthole Cover

ATTENTION: Reservoir and lid style shown throughout this guide may vary. When needed, critical dimensions are noted for hole locations.

3Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

Install to here.

Incorrect installation. Correct.

Important Information

PICTORIAL GUIDE

Use the following photos to identify the parts of the system.

110407Dripper Stake

110725 Air Pump

109260 Air Stone

1107433mm Punch

112531 Heavy Duty Timer

111698 Ratchet Clamp

111044 5mm Tee

AC2804Siphon Elbow

Dutch Bucket111627 (10')3/4" White Polyethylene Tubing

110091 Clear Vinyl Tubing (10')

110730

110729

110721 Aqua Pump

FITTING INSTALLATION

When installing the plumbing, fully insert fittings into the 3/4" poly tubing. Secure each connection using the 111698 ratchet clamps.

During installation of 3/4" tubing, wet tubing ends and fitting for easier assembly.

Use pliers to gently squeeze ratchet clamps around tubing. Fully install 3/4" tubing to fitting shoulder.

If needed, use a hair dryer to gently heat tubing for easier installation. Do not overheat! Tube will melt!

Use pliers to gently squeeze and lock ratchet clamps.

4 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

1Assembly Instructions—Lid

PREPARE RESERVOIR LID

Drill the 1" Hole for Supply Tube from Pump

1. Locate the center of the porthole opening in the lid. See the X in the photo (upper right).

2. Using a 1" hole saw, drill hole for vertcail supply tube. Drill hole at the edge of porthole. See photo D. NOTE: Do not drill lid over the reservoir. Move to a separate set of supports during drilling.

3. Using a hand saw or similar tool, carefully remove material between porthole and 1" hole.

4. Clean lid to prevent contamination of nutrient solution when reservoir is filled.

5. Continue with the next procedure.

Drill the 5/16" Holes for Air Pump Tubing

1. Take a 5/16" drill bit and drill two holes 2" apart through the lid. See photo below for location.

2. Remove all debris from lid and around all holes to prevent it from dropping into the reservoir when lid is set in place.

ATTENTION: X marks hole locations for air tubes and main supply tube from pump.

xx x

Supply Tube Hole

Air Tube Holes

Required Tools:

• Drill and a 1" hole saw. Keep holes aligned and uniform.

• Marker, chalk line, and tape measure

Drill the 1" Hole

STEP 1

STEP 3

STEP 2

STEP 4

2"

2"

Air Tube Hole Positions

5Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

2 PREPARE SUPPORT TUBES AND LID

Assembly Instructions—Support Tubes & Lid

Drill the 1" Hole for Supply Tube from Pump

1. Mark center of each pvc support tube using a chalk line.

2. Using dimensions shown (upper-right diagram), mark the locations of the 1" drain holes on each tube. ATTENTION: Spacing between bucket drain holes depends on what plants are grown. Bushy plants require more space; vine crops less. Use this information as a guide: Tomatoes and peppers: space drain holes at 16" on-center; eggplant and zucchini: spacing is typically greater. Before drilling tubes, check that hole positions will not align with the cross ribs on the lid. See photo above. Adjust as needed.

3. Use a 1" hole saw and drill drain holes through one side of each tube.

4. Roll each tube over and complete drilling the 1" hole.

5. Clean tubes to remove debris. At this point, both support tubes are drilled.

Support tubes span the length of the reservoir and help distribute the weight of the Dutch buckets. Complete the steps that follow to drill the 1" drain holes in two (2) support tubes.

Drill 1" Holes in PVC Tubing

STEP 1

STEP 3

STEP 5

STEP 4

39"

5" 16"

NOTE: Sample 113663 tube shows on-center hole spacing at 16". Actual spacing depends on plants grown.

STEP 2

Drain Hole

Support Tube

Lid Rib

6 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

6. Place lid on reservoir and tube on lid. Set two (2) buckets in place. Align edges of buckets with edges of lid.

7. Align ends of pvc support tube with edges of lid.

8. Tape (not included) or hold tube in place and remove buckets. Using a marker, mark hole locations on the lid. Repeat to mark holes for remaining tube.

2 PREPARE SUPPORT TUBES AND LID (continued)

Assembly Instructions—Support Tubes & Lid

ATTENTION: If needed, mark tube so it can be installed in the same location once system is fully assembled.

9. Remove lid from reservoir and drill a 1" drain hole at each mark. Do not drill lid over reservoir. Debris will clog pump when in operation.

10. Clean debris from lid, rinse reservoir, and place lid back on reservoir.

11. Continue with next procedure.

AlignAlign

STEP 6

STEP 9

STEP 8

STEP 10

STEP 7

Align both ends of tubes with edge of lid.

Clean both sides of lid and place back on reservoir.

Photo shows using tape to hold support tube in place to mark hole locations.

7Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

ATTACH AIR PUMP AND AERATOR STONES

110091 Clear Vinyl Tubing

110725 Air Pump

3Assembly Instructions—Air Tubes & Pump & Aerator Stones

For optimal system performance and to extend the life of the nutrient solution through increased oxygenation, an aerator pump and aerator stones are included. Position stones at the bottom of the reservoir opposite the water pump. The 110725 air pump must remain above nutrient level to prevent siphoning. Complete these steps:

1. Cut the 110091 vinyl tubing in half using a utility knife or scissors.

2. Attach one stone to each tube. Wet tube end if necessary.

3. Slide stones in reservoir. See photo for stone position opposite water pump.

4. Feed free end of each tube up through access holes

5. Connect each hose to the air pump.

6. Place the 110725 air pump in position. ATTENTION: Position air pump at a level that is above the nutrient level at all times to prevent siphoning of reservoir.

7. Continue with the next procedure.

STEP 4

STEP 6

ATTENTION: Always position air pump above nutrient level to prevent siphoning of reservoir.

STEP 1

Attach 110091 tube to air stone.

STEP 2

STEP 5

STEP 3

Pump at this end.


8 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

4Assembly Instructions—Dutch Bucket Preparation

INSTALL SIPHON ELBOWS AND DRAIN EXTENSION TUBES

Siphon Elbow

Complete these steps:

1. Assemble siphon elbows as shown. Two (2) elbows are used for each assembly.

2. Take elbow assembly and install one inside each Dutch bucket.

3. Cut four 3-1/2" pieces of 3/4" poly tubing—one for each bucket.

4. Using a 111698 ratchet clamp for each extension tube, secure one tube to drain nipple of each Dutch bucket.

5. Set support tubes on lid and buckets in place on support tubes. Verify that drain extensions pass through support tubes and into reservoir lid.

6. Continue with next procedure.

111698 Ratchet Clamp

STEP 1

STEP 3 STEP 4

STEP 2

STEP 5

Cut 4 pieces at 3-1/2" each.

9Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

5Assembly Instructions—Supply Manifold

ASSEMBLE SUPPLY MANIFOLD

Complete these steps:

1. Add o-ring to pump fitting, install hose fitting in water pump, and set 110721 water pump in reservoir through porthole.

2. Measure from top of the pump (at outlet port) to top of Dutch buckets. Cut a section of 3/4" poly tubing to the length measured. Measure to the bottom of a straight edge setting on the tops of the Dutch buckets. Double-check measurement before cutting the 3/4" tubing.

3. Attach the 110730 tee fitting to one end of the tube and secure in place using one 111698 ratchet clamp. Slide tube onto pump fitting. Review Page 3 for proper fitting installation.

4. Center pump in reservoir, measure from tee fitting to Dutch bucket, and cut two tubes to that length.

5. Add one 110729 elbow to each tube and secure with clamp. Check fit and shorten tubes if needed.

6. Pull tube off pump, slide each short tube assembly onto tee fitting, and secure using ratchet clamps.

STEP 1

STEP 5

STEP 2

STEP 4

STEP 6

STEP 3

10 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

5Assembly Instructions—Supply Manifold

ASSEMBLE SUPPLY MANIFOLD (continued)

7. Measure from an elbow to edge of Dutch bucket and cut two long tubes to that length.

8. Add one AC2804 in-line valve to each tube and secure using one ratchet clamp for each.

9. Slide a clamp onto each long tube.

10. Remove tube assembly from pump and attach one long tube to each elbow and secure with ratchet clamp.

11. Add a clamp to vertical tube and check fit of tube assembly. Long tubes should rest along tops of Dutch buckets. Trim vertical tube that attaches to pump as needed.

12. Secure tube to pump fitting.

OPTIONAL STEP (Recommended)

Using a 5/16" drill bit, drill a hole near the top of each Dutch bucket where supply manifold is located. Take a plastic tie (not included) and secure the 3/4" tube to the Dutch bucket. This helps keep supply manifold in place. Cut the plastic tie to remove the bucket.

STEP 7

STEP 9

STEP 8

STEP 10

STEP 12

STEP 11A

C

B

D

11Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

Assembly Instructions—Irrigation Lines

6Complete these steps:

1. Using a scissors or similar cutting tool, cut eight (8) irrigation lines of equal length—two (2) for each bucket. Length of each line not to exceed 14".

2. Gently and carefully push one line onto each 110407 dripper stake. Wet line end for easier assembly. Dripper ends are fragile. Be careful not to bend or break the dripper.

3. Twist two (2) tubes onto each 111044 threaded tee barb until fully seated against barb body.

4. Move to the 3/4" poly tubes running across the tops of buckets. Using the 110743 punch, punch one hole at each bucket position. Position hole near center of bucket (recommended).

5. Carefully grip one barb and irrigation line assembly with a pair of clean pliers and gently push it into a hole. While still holding the assembly, gently pull back (as if to remove the barb) to seat the barb in supply tube. DO NOT PULL BARB OUT OF TUBE!

6. Repeat to install all remaining irrigation line assemblies.

PREPARE AND INSTALL IRRIGATION LINES111044

Threaded Tee110407

Dripper Stake

*Example only. Actual system may differ.

STEP 1

STEP 4

STEP 2

STEP 5

STEP 3

STEP 6

Irrigation line with dripper.

12 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATIONGeneral Operating Instructions

After assembling the 113621 Dutch bucket system, take a few minutes to check the system. Complete these steps.

1. Verify that all electrical cord ends are outside reservoir.

2. Place all dripper stakes inside a Dutch bucket and verify that all bucket drain tubes extend through support tube and reservoir lid.

3. Verify that both AC2804 in-line valves are closed.

4. Fill reservoir with water to cover the pump.

5. Plug the air pump into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet. Look for bubbles in the reservoir to verify that the air is pumping to each air stone. Remember to always mount the air pump on a surface that is above the water level. Vibrations of the pump can cause it to move. Make sure pump does not fall into reservoir or other liquids.

6. Supply power to water pump and allow it to run until water flows out of the drippers. If water does not flow, confirm that pump is running. Check pump intake for obstructions.

General Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions

For optimal performance and to increase yields, check and clean the Dutch bucket system periodically. Time between maintenance and cleaning depends on the growing environment and specific use of the system. Apply the following steps as needed to ensure that your system is working properly.

1. Disconnect main power supply to turn off all pumps. Remove reservoir lid and inspect the inside of the reservoir. Reservoir should be cleaned each time nutrient solution is replenished. Keep porthole cover in place during operation to prevent light from entering the reservoir.

2. Check all plumbing and irrigation connections to ensure that all are operating as designed.

3. Replace worn or cracked irrigation lines and drippers as needed.

4. See next pages for details.

7. Check each Dutch bucket to ensure that water is dripping from each dripper stake.

8. Check all fitting connections—supply and drain tubes—for leaks.

9. Once air is out of the lines and water drips from each dripper, turn off pump.

10. After checking the system and making adjustments, fill buckets with growing medium (not included) and grow.

WARNING: KEEP ALL ELECTRICAL CORDS AND CONNECTIONS OUT OF THE RESERVOIR. CONSULT THE SERVICES OF A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN TO ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY CONNECT THE PUMPS TO A POWER SUPPLY.

ALL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS SHALL BE DESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS.

112531 Heavy Duty Timer

USING THE 112531 TIMER

The 112531 timer allows for a variety of settings to control the water pump of your Dutch bucket system.

Consult the guide supplied with the 112531 timer for installation, use, programing, and troubleshooting details.

NOTE: Do not connect the air pump to the timer. Air pump must run continuously when system is in operation.

13Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

FLUSH THE 3/4" SUPPLY LINES In addition to cleaning the reservoir, periodically flush the 3/4" lines that supply nutrient solution to the two rows of Dutch buckets. Complete these steps:

1. Turn off pump.

2. After cleaning reservoir, add clean water to reservoir to cover pump.

3. Open the AC2804 in-line valve at the end of one row.

OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

4. Clear area around end of line or hold a bucket over in-line valve. NOTE: Pressurized water will stream out of the line. Take the necessary steps to contain the water.

5. Turn on the pump and allow water to flow through the line to flush it.

6. Turn off pump and check water level in the reservoir. Add water if needed.

7. Repeat the steps to flush remaining line.

8. Verify that both AC2804 valves are closed and refill the reservoir with nutrient solution.

9. Turn on the pump and monitor the system during operation.

10. Check for leaks.

SPACE RESERVED FOR CUSTOMER NOTES

14 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

ADDITIONAL SYSTEM PHOTOS

15Revision date: 04.27.17 113621



16 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17



17Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

The easy-to-use 110407 stakes are perfect for even and consistent nutrient delivery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

After filling the buckets with the selected growing medium, determine what nutrient solution is needed for your plants and mix this according to the instructions on the mixture. Mixture will be specific to system, the reservoir size, and the plants grown.

ATTENTION: Water quality affects the nutrient solution. Testing the water supply is strongly recommended before you mix the nutrient solution. In some instances and for best results, it may be necessary to treat the water supply. Consult the services of a water quality professional to determine the condition of the water and how to treat it (if necessary) before you begin.

Add your desired plants to the buckets.

Set the stakes inside each bucket and turn on the circulation pump. Check each stake to ensure that water flows freely from each. Turn off the pump.

Gently push the stake into the growing medium.

DRIPPER STAKES—GETTING STARTED

18 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES*

Depending on the plant and application, using 110010 Tomato RollerHook® Assemblies and the 110006 or 110007 clips can save time and labor.

The RollerHook® components are easily assembled by slipping the spool between the wire ends of the hanger. Position the spool so the lock is next to the lowest part of the wire spring. See the photos below.

After assembling each, consult the following page to view installation photos using the 110010 assemblies and the 110006/110007 clips.

*Additional purchase required: Contact your sales representative to purchase Tomato RollerHook® Assemblies for your Dutch bucket recovery system.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES—ADDITIONAL PURCHASE REQUIRED

ATTENTION: Photo to the right shows the spool incorrectly installed in the wire hanger.

When installed this way, the spool lock slides under the lock spring of the handle. As a result, the cord will unravel from the spool. The installation steps below show the correct orientation.

Incorrect

Correct

32 51 4

Spool Lock

19Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

INSTALLING THE 110010 TOMATO ROLLERHOOK® ASSEMBLY*

As plants mature, it may become necessary to provide adequate support. The 110010 Tomato RollerHook® Assembly used with the 110006 or 110007 tomato clips provide the perfect support system, saving you time and money.

1. Hang the assembled RollerHook® from a wire, cable, or frame member above the Dutch bucket system.

2. Pull cord from the spool so it reaches the desired Dutch bucket.

3. Take one 110006 or 110007 clip, wrap it around the stem of the plant, feed the cord into the hinged part of the clip, and snap the clip closed to lock cord in place.

4. Move back to the cord spool and tighten to remove slack. To prevent plant damage, do not overtighten. As the plant grows, add additional clips as needed for support.

321 4


*Additional purchase required: Contact your sales representative to purchase Tomato RollerHook® Assemblies for your Dutch bucket recovery system.

20 113621 Revision date: 04.27.17

Photo shows using the 110010 RollerHook® Assembly.


21Revision date: 04.27.17 113621

PAGE RESERVED FOR CUSTOMER NOTES AND RECORDS

Documents

113621 H2-4 Micro Dutch Bucket System - Growers Supply€¦ · set 110721 water pump in reservoir through porthole. 2. Measure from top of the pump (at outlet port) to top of Dutch